Your home may offer more than comfort and a familiar place to unwind. What surrounds it could also play a surprising role in your brain health as you age. New research suggests that older adults living near more trees, gardens and other greenery may have a lower risk of developing dementia, with the strongest association found for vegetation closest to their homes.
Researchers followed 2,993 adults ages 60 and older for 16 years, during which 477 participants developed dementia. Using satellite imagery, they measured vegetation around participants' homes and found that greater greenery within approximately 100 meters, or 328 feet, was associated with a 20% lower dementia risk. The relationship was stronger among women and became weaker when greenery was measured farther from home. Researchers also accounted for factors including education, lifestyle, air pollution and traffic noise.
Natural surroundings may support brain health in several ways, from reducing stress and encouraging physical activity to promoting better sleep and social connections. Trees and vegetation can also help reduce exposure to heat, noise and air pollution. Although the observational study doesn't prove that living near greenery prevents dementia, it highlights the potential importance of your everyday environment. Whether it's a garden, a tree-lined street or a nearby park, having nature close to home may offer benefits that extend well beyond the view.
SOURCE:
NewsMedical, October 19, 2026